Featured Property: High Country Club Breckenridge

By: Destination Club News
Date: February 14, 2010

Just over a year ago, High Country Club filed for bankruptcy. Once one of the fastest growing destination clubs in the world, insufficient annual dues and membership fees and the decline in interest in the destination club sector would contribute to their filing. Earlier this month, it was announced that seven of the club's properties would be put up for auction next month "regardless of price."

Our second place finisher in this week's property vote, Keystone, Colorado, is one of the seven properties for sale, but the winner is the club's former mountain lodge in Breckenridge, Colorado.

One of the larger High Country Club properties, the four bedroom, four and one half bath residence was surrounded by five acres of Colorado forest. Just a two minute drive from town and moments from the slopes, Breckenridge would make for one of the popular all season destinations within the club's portfolio. Built for large parties, the residence included a 12-person hot tub, fire pit, large wrap-around deck, pool table, leather couches and a fireplace so everyone could stay together or find their own little safe haven.

Several High Country Club members would comment on the size of the property on the club's "Member Memories" portion of the website.

"Christmas in the mountains! What could be better? The Breckenridge Mountain Lodge is amazing! It is HUGE and very comfortable for a large group. The kitchen and dining room easily sat 12 hungry people," said one member. "Overall, the house set up was so nice that everyone wanted to just hang out after a day of skiing and tubing. There was plenty of built-in fun with pool table, video games and board games to keep the whole family entertained every night."

"The setting is beautiful and very quiet. We never saw anyone when we were at the property, other than the nightly visit from ‘Frank the Fox’ looking for food at the back door. We can’t say enough about this property. This was our second stay here and both times were great. It truly feels like our ‘home away from home,’ and has given us the chance to take other families to share the experience. Thank you!"

"We celebrated Easter and our family reunion at Breckenridge Mountain Lodge, where 10 of us (six adults and four kids) comfortably stayed," began another High Country Club member. "The Breckenridge Mountain Lodge is awesome! High Country Club has chosen the perfect ski home. With 4,800 square feet to play in, our three families felt very comfortable, and we had no problem accommodating everyone. In fact, we spent a considerable amount of time in the house itself because of the space, pool table, games, and ability to cook in the kitchen. It truly felt like it was a second home that we had designed and owned."

It appears that the High Country Club saga may be soon coming to an end. Paragon Destinations and The Phoenix Club have both already made steps to fill the void left by the club and it will be interesting to see just how many former members will have lost their faith in the destination club concept after their experience with High Country Club. Check back soon for updates on the upcoming High Country Club auction and news on the rest of the destination club sector.